When constructing a new building, your decisions about the interior layout and facilities are a crucial part of the planning process. This means prepping the “core and shell” of a commercial building to get it ready for tenant occupancy and customization for their business.
What Is Fit-Out Construction?
Law Insider defines fit-out construction as “any fit-out works or improvements in or to Premises leased to a Tenant under a Lease” and applies to everything from high-rise apartment buildings to corporate office buildings.
What Is a Tenant Fit-Out?
A tenant fit-out is the process of preparing the interior of a building for use and occupation. This usually means starting off with the building’s exterior shell and building the interior areas. Conference rooms, data centers, apartments, and even bathrooms are part of the fit-out process.
Tenant fit-outs can sometimes be confused with decor, but when it comes to fit-out vs. interior design, the difference is massive. A fit-out is concerned with creating the layout and functional aspects of the interior spaces, ensuring the proper facilities for the tenants or occupants.
Interior design is oriented toward furniture and decor and is usually a matter of personal tastes. A fit-out involves the design and installation of elements, including the electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, as well as the design of offices, apartments, and break rooms, among other special-purpose rooms or facilities.
How to Plan for a Fit-Out
Before actual construction occurs, a number of things can be done to ensure that the process is as smooth and efficient, not to mention cost-effective, as possible.
- Examine your contracts – Many standard contracts do not include language addressing the practicalities, risks, insurance obligations, or other responsibilities involved in the process.
- Plan for delays – Sometimes delays are unavoidable, and it pays to plan for losses or liabilities in advance as a precautionary measure.
- Specify – Define the scope of work clearly in advance. Be specific about what will and will not constitute fit-out work in order to provide clear guidelines and alleviate any confusion during the process or billing.
- Prepare your employees or residents – On some occasions, usually Category B Office Fit-Outs, you may have some staff present during the work. We address this situation and provide management tips in a prior post.
Contact The Fit-Out Experts at Henick-Lane
As experts with more than five decades of HVAC experience, Henick-Lane can provide cost-effective and practical solutions for your new space. We offer full tenant fit-out project management services. Get started by calling us today at (718) 786-7277 or contacting us online.